Light in a Time of War: The Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women Eases the Suffering of Women in Gaza by Providing Psychological and Social Support

Amid the difficult circumstances faced by women in Gaza, PSCCW continues to provide vital support through the “Women Capable of Change” project, which aims to enhance women’s abilities and empower them to confront the catastrophic challenges resulting from the aggression.

A series of workshops have been conducted, covering vital topics such as positive parenting, awareness of sexual exploitation and harassment, coping with psychological stress, and effective strategies for emotional release and self-care. These workshops have so far targeted 75 women.

Mrs. A.D., a mother of three, said, “Since I started attending these sessions, I can now hug my children daily, and I notice they respond better to my guidance.” Another woman noted a positive change in her interactions with her children, saying, “I used to quickly vent my anger on my children, but after attending the anger management workshops, I’ve learned how to stay calmer and manage my stress in positive ways, which has helped me avoid resorting to violence.”

These workshops are seen as a beacon of light in a time of war, providing women with tools and methods to confront the psychological and social challenges that overwhelm them and their families amid ongoing aggression. These initiatives also offer a space of hope and renewal for the strength and resilience of women, helping them to enhance their psychological stability and improve the quality of life for themselves and their families during times of crisis.

This project is being implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Working Women Association for Development, within the framework of the Feminist Program for Women’s Economic Rights (FEM PAWER), funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by a coalition of four human rights organizations Women in the Middle East and North Africa region, led by the Swedish Women’s Foundation for Women (KTK) with the Arab Women’s Association (AWO) from Jordan and the Research and Training for Development Action Group (CRTSA) from Lebanon, and the Palestinian Working Women’s Association for Development (PWWSD) from Palestine.